The NFL has announced that if the AFC championship game is between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, it will be held in Atlanta.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home to the Atlanta Falcons, was selected to be the neutral site venue for the matchup after the cancellation of a Week 17 game affected the possible playoff seeding for the AFC.
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“We are also grateful to Arthur Blank and the Atlanta Falcons for agreeing to host the AFC Championship Game in Atlanta should the Bills and Chiefs advance. We thank both of those clubs for their assistance in the planning process. We know, if necessary, Mercedes-Benz Stadium will provide a world class atmosphere for the competing teams, our fans and partners.” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.
The Week 17 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Bills was suspended and later canceled after Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on the field. The game prevented the Bills from obtaining the top seed in the AFC, which went to the Chiefs, meaning it affected who would host an AFC championship between the two teams.
If the AFC championship is between any other combination of teams, it will be held at the home field of the higher-seeded team, as is usually the case.
Hamlin has steadily recovered from the nearly fatal medical emergency. He was released from the hospital Monday.
“We are heartened by the continued improvement and progress of Damar Hamlin in his recovery, and Damar and his family remain top of mind for the entire NFL community,” Goodell said Thursday.
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The NFL playoffs begin Saturday and Sunday with the wild-card round of games. The AFC championship is slated to be played Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m. It will be televised by CBS.
